Page 108 - VC Message

Leading with Purpose
Messages of the Vice Chancellor MESSAGES OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR

17. Times such as this and in the months to come will see a critical transformative
period for our country and the world, especially when critical sectors and resources
are undergoing rapid changes and mobilisation.
18. Critical assets at the forefront to the country’s needs and interests including critical
minerals, digital revolution and cybernetic intelligence, quantum computing and
quantum advancement, new energy transition and new energy exploration and
space and aeronautical and space science, among others, are racing far ahead in
terms of speed, depth and volume and we must not be complacent.
19. Others include sectors critical for resilience and long term interests including
comprehensive healthcare and medicine advancement, socio-demographic
changes and geopolitical and defence and security related spectrum, are
undergoing massive changes and demands, as nations and actors race to secure
advantages and consolidate strength.
20. This is where our role as the nation’s guardian of strength will be most critical, and
we must not squander this by relegating ourselves to mere spectators, or worse,
at the mercy of others in terms of capacities and strength.
21. People who are suffering from diseases, from cancers or from terminal illnesses
look up to those who are at the forefront of hope for humanity to create new
breakthroughs and cures. People who are suffering from disasters are looking
up to those who can have preventive actions to mitigate climate impact, or those
who can speed up carbon offset capacities. People who are trapped in conflicts
or who are suffering from famine and structural inequality are looking up to those
who have the moral conscience and the ability to deter wars through peace and
diplomacy.
22. And this is the necessity and an outright and default moral and academic and
100 research obligation for us as the nation’s highest defender of the oath and as the
most credible source of authority to enact the needed changes and to create the
needed solutions and relief to the people the world over.
23. The strength of our morality, values, conviction of faith in humanity and the
dignity of the people, and the audacity of our hope and actions in bringing about
compassion with a clarity of vision and valour, will determine the course of UM,
to walk tall not only with the intellectual strength and pomp, but with the moral
conscience and belief in the responsibility to protect the world, with a profound
sense of national duty and global honour.
24. This is the pride that we want in our students, in our professors, in our researchers,
our lecturers, our administrative executives and our entire community. For it is not
the indication of our conventional numbers and statistics that matter the most,
but the underlying meaning and purpose that they serve to the people, in making
a difference in how they live and in how they survive or recover from difficulties
or conflicts.
25. As all of you have been updated on our latest periodical progress through our
structured updates from our relevant departments and portfolios and from my
own social media updates and presence, this message is focusing more on
fundamental pillars of our work and soul, for purpose without soul is meaningless,
while soul without direction is futile.
26. As we reflect on a year that is successful by stature and by pure statistical
reference alone, we have every right to be proud, but if we measure by default of
intangible impact, we have every room to improve, in terms of clarity of vision and
purpose and the sense of mission-led audacity in our drive.
27. For we do not do this merely for the sake of conventional remuneration alone,
or for the direct benefits and compensation as required (although we will never
compromise the welfare and benefits of our community, and in fact we have
amplified and reformed our welfare, benefits and promotion system), we do it out
of our profound and ingrained honour and love for the institution, for the nation,
and for humanity.